postcard from siargao

With a storied reputation as the Philippines' surfing capital, Siargao exudes the no-frills, laidback charm of a place where rugged beauty, barreling waves and coral-strewn, windswept beaches come together. Rock formations and tidal pools dot the island, reminding you this is not some sleepy spa destination, but a frontier to be explored with your eyes wide open, with your palms feeling every surface, with your senses on alert.

Siargao and the tiny islands that surround it also boast of lush mangrove forests, white-sand coves and a rich riot of green and blue, wild grass and seashell that have gratefully been left unspoilt by time. It is home to both locals and wanderers who are as warm, welcoming and unpretentious as the islands themselves.